Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday expressed displeasure and indignation over the “exorbitant rise” in chicken prices and directed the relevant departments to take prompt steps to control the prices of chicken across Punjab.While presiding over a special meeting, the Punjab CM expressed anger over the “undue hike” in the prices of chicken and asked the line departments to take prompt steps to rein in the “artificial price hike” of chicken in the province.he further directed the relevant departments to closely monitor the prices of essential vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and lemon, in the run-up to Eidul Azha.“Any increase in the prices of essential vegetables before the arrival of Eidul Azha is unacceptable under any circumstance, and no one will be allowed to hike the prices of vegetables through hoarding or artificial shortage,” she warned.She expressed her surprise over the “undue hike” in chicken prices, questioning the presence of government institutions. “Exploitation of the public on such an auspicious occasion is simply unacceptable,” CM Maryam declared.During the meeting, the Punjab CM was briefed on the market situation and prices of vegetables, pulses, flour, and ‘roti.’The chief minister directed to take immediate measures to reduce the price of ‘roti’ in view of recent reduction in the flour prices. She also sought a comprehensive plan to cut down transportation costs of vegetables and directed the Agriculture Department to take “sweeping steps” to grow off-season vegetables.
